What’s the MedicCast Worth Each Week?

I do a lot of listening and reading to podcasts and blogs about the business of the internet. The reason being that I have kind of fallen into that business by producing the MedicCast Podcast and running the website and MedicCast Forums.

So when I come across an article that asks questions about what the readers and listeners think is the real worth (i.e. what would they pay for the site/podcast/or blog access) I perk up and pay attention. The article to which I’m referring talks about blogs looking at charging $1 per month for access to their full, un-filtered RSS feed.

I want to say that I’m not proposing this model for the MedicCast Podcast or the MedicCast blog feed, yet. But here is why the conversation they propose intrigues me:

1. Doing the MedicCast Podcast is WORK! I spend at least 10 hours over the course of the week just researching news and information, and gathering credible links. That doesn’t include the time spent recording and producing the show.
2. I spend 5 to 10 additional hours each week responding to email from listeners, chasing down links for them, and posting articles on the website for discussion or linked to interesting studies or sites that I have found.
3. If you add in additional time to run the website, forums, and newsletter and the MedicCast becomes close to another full time job.
4. I hear from you (the EMTs, Paramedics, and students who read the blog and listen to the MedicCast) that I helped you pass a test or class — or that my show has helped you on the street or to advance your career goals.
5. My wife wants to know what value this show has that takes me away from my already limited family time.

As I get ready to record my 2nd anniversary show this weekend and give away a few hundred dollars worth of prizes to listeners, I was bit surprised when I looked back at what the MedicCast has become.

Over the past two years the MedicCast has:

– Produced over 100 hours of unique content for listeners (103 regular episodes and 11 special panel discussion shows)

– Created a monthly live call-in show just for Emergency Medical Services. An opportunity for each listener to ask their questions about our monthly topic, or whatever else they have to chime in about.

– Released more than 20 episodes with specialized content and expert interviews

– Reached thousands of EMS providers and other medical professionals around the world with news, tips, and training.

– Made the MedicCast a place that EMS and other medical people can trust to have high quality links and discussions on the topics that are important to us.

– Raised the bar for EMS personnel to become the medical professionals they are trained to be and not just the “ambulance drivers” that the public thinks they are.

So my question to you as listeners to the show, what is the MedicCast worth to you?

Is it worth $12 a year — or $20 — or $50?

Let me know by commenting below or by emailing me here at the MedicCast.